Any advice on getting across the US/Canadian border with a dodgy police record?

I have heard too many horror stories of the Canadian border stations turning away people for petite convictions and yet I see some (whom I know have records) seem to get through...is it just a turn of the dice?

I don't know if it is the same in the U.S.A but here in Canada you got to have have a clean criminal record to cross the border. If you've done something criminal in the past you can ask for a waiver and that will clear your criminal record.

Yeah the Canadian borders are a massive pain in the ass. Not really sure why. No idea how those you mentioned with dodgy passports managed to get through but either they were lucky or they were cleared... I also heard that some people brought in drugs from the US (via plane), not really sure how they managed that though hehe.

Any advice on getting across the US/Canadian border with a dodgy police record?

I have heard too many horror stories of the Canadian border stations turning away people for petite convictions and yet I see some (whom I know have records) seem to get through...is it just a turn of the dice?

Luck can definitely play a big part especially depending on how you choose to travel there. For example, in my experience flying in is a bit more rigorous than driving in if that's an option. Usually if you're driving in you will face minimal to no hold up unless it really looks like something's wrong. They'll probably just take a look at the passports, walk around the car, and waive you on; I've only been required to get out of the car once in ~10 trips over the boarder. I've flown a few times too and sometimes the customs process takes 20-30 minutes with what appears to be actual checking and other times I've just flashed my passport and walked through.

A friend of mine from Canada was denied going in the USA this week because he didn't have a return ticket. He was accused of wanting to immigrate illegally to the US!!! He was stuck two hours at the border before they told him he couldn't cross. Now, next time he wants to go to the states, he needs to bring a shitload of documents with him to prove that he lives in Canada.

And because of that bullshit, he missed the Vomitor/Negative Plane gig!_________________The Goat of fire in me ablaze
Oh cosmic furnace I behold

[quote="Hellfire Commando"]A friend of mine from Canada was denied going in the USA this week because he didn't have a return ticket. He was accused of wanting to immigrate illegally to the US!!! He was stuck two hours at the border before they told him he couldn't cross. Now, next time he wants to go to the states, he needs to bring a shitload of documents with him to prove that he lives in Canada.
quote]

sorry for your friend, but it seems to be predictable, since USA is the land of paranoia...